Resolute's Goliath Returns a Winner in Paris

A dominant winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) on his most recent appearance July 27, Goliath (GER) brushed away the cobwebs accrued during an 85-day absence with a snug defeat of the evergreen Hamish (GB) in the Oct. 20 Prix du Conseil de Paris (G2). New United States-based co-owner John Stewart flew in to watch Goliath negotiate what looked beforehand a trappy preparation for the Japan Cup (G1), and he saw the 4-year-old overcome a muddling pace and heavy ground to win by a half-length at Longchamp. Trainer Francis Graffard said: "He had a lot of things against him; he was carrying a penalty and he needed the run because he's a huge horse. "This ground is not what he prefers and the race was full of potential traps, with a small number of runners. But (jockey) Christophe (Soumillon) has begun to really get to know him and he has a lot of confidence in him. He gave him a chance to stretch out when he started to pull in the false straight." "He took a gulp of air halfway up the straight and Christophe respected his horse before they went on again," he said. "I'm delighted to have won but this was all about getting a run into him on the way to Japan, and he's now got that out of the way, that's the most important thing." Stewart bought 75% of Goliath from his owner-breeder Philip Baron von Ullmann after his Ascot victory, a success which ties the son of Adlerflug (GER) with his stablemate Calandagan (IRE) on an official mark of 125, making them the joint-second-best turf horses on the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings behind the 127-rated City Of Troy. Von Ullmann emphasised how much more he thought was to come from Goliath, who missed his intended prep in the Preis von Europa (G1) in September owing to a foot abscess. "We were very impressed because we knew today he would be at 70 or 80% and would need the run just to get the condition on him," said Von Ullmann. "He had two kilos more to carry and he beat very decent horses today. I think in five or six weeks' time he'll be at 100% for the Japan Cup." Soumillon partnered Goliath for the first time in the King George but has already struck up a great rapport, while his experience in Japan will also be an advantage when it comes to challenging for the country's greatest all-aged prize Nov. 24. Von Ullmann said: "There he'll get the fast pace he needs. I think the ground might be a little bit too firm, but he'll definitely like it more than he liked this. "The Japanese competition is very good, but I don't think they're as good as in the last couple of years. So I think if there is a year to attack from the European side, this year is a great chance."